Rocky Mountain Raptor Program-RMRP

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: This post contains images of open wounds shared for educational purposes. Viewer discretion may be advised.

Road Rash Recovery
In mid-April, this adult Red-tailed Hawk was found injured along the I-25 frontage road by a Good Samaritan. Likely injured in a vehicle collision, the hawk was safely contained while help was arranged.

During the initial exam, our admit team noted head trauma and a significant road rash wound across the hawk’s left shoulder. The hawk received emergency stabilization, pain medication, and supportive care before being placed in a quiet space to rest.

Over the following days, our team began intensive wound care, including cleaning and debridement to remove damaged tissue. Because the wound was so large, there was not enough healthy skin to close it with sutures right away. Instead, the wound was allowed to heal by “second intention,” meaning healthy tissue gradually filled in from the wound margins over time.

After three weeks, the wound had improved significantly and enough healthy tissue had formed for our veterinary team to place sutures to help stabilize the area. Since the shoulder is a high-motion part of the body, the added support helped speed the final stages of healing. After five weeks in recovery, the wound had fully closed, and the hawk was ready to move into the final stages of rehabilitation.

Cases like this are only possible because of community support. We are deeply grateful to the Good Samaritans who help injured wildlife, our veterinary team who volunteers their expertise, and donors who make this work possible through financial support and supplies. You can continue to support our work at rmrp.org/donate


📸: 1-2: The patient in our Hospital and Rehabilitation Enclosures. 3: The wound on Day 10 in our care. 4: The wound on Day 20. 5: The wound on Day 25 with the suture placed. 6: The wound on Day 40.

Make a donation AT NO COST to you!⁠ 🛍️
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When you register your Kroger/King Soopers/City Market card for Community Rewards, they donate a portion of your purchase to RMRP! Just link your existing account to our organization and you can support the care and rehabilitation of raptors. Use organization ID is BF841 or search us by name to connect your account.⁠
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See the step-by-step instructions at: https://www.kingsoopers.com/i/community/community-rewards

Eagles, Owls, Hawks - oh my! The virtual Birds of Prey Class starts THIS WEEKEND! 🎉

Registration for the first day of classes ends this Friday at 10 pm, so don’t miss your chance to join us for this one-of-a-kind experience. This expert-taught class is a great way to hone your raptor ID skills, learn about natural history and mating behaviors, and hear real-world perspectives from our educators.

🦅 Module 1: Eagles, Vultures, & Osprey | June 6, 10 am – 1 pm
🦅 Module 2: Buteos | June 6, 2 – 5 pm
🦉 Module 3: Owls (Part 1) | June 13, 10 am – 1 pm
🦉 Module 4: Owls (Part 2) | June 13, 2 – 5 pm
🪶 Module 5: Falcons | June 20, 10 am – 1 pm
🪶 Module 6: Accipiters, Harriers, & Kites | June 20, 2 – 5 pm

Registration for each module closes at 10 pm the night before the class. Register for one module or all 6 at https://onecau.se/_gx2xu1. No prior experience or education needed!